Next sign-up begins Aug. 11 for community-supported fishery

New Hampshire Community Seafood board member and fisherman Jamie Hayward holds some of his fresh catch. The Portsmouth-based community-supported fishery delivers fresh-caught fish to 13 communities across the state. (Sara Forrest)

PORTSMOUTH — Locally caught fish are coming to New Hampshire communities for a second year.

New Hampshire Community Seafood (NHCS) was created to be a type of “farm share for fish,” according to Sarah Vanhorn, manager of the community supported fishery.

She said NHCS has partnered with Brookford Farm’s CSA to create a “one-stop shop for farm goods and fish all along their CSA route — including Manchester, Concord, Nashua, Laconia and Canterbury.”

The fish is caught and delivered “dock to dish” within 24 hours of off-load, she said.

Sign-up for the next eight-week CSF session starts Aug. 11, with registration available online.

Vanhorn said NHCS has seen its membership grow from 250 in the first year to 520 in the second season. Distribution points have increased from seven to 13.

“They include more in-state regions like Concord and Manchester, which traditionally have never had access to catch-of-the-day fish by their own New Hampshire fishermen,” she said.

Vanhorn described New Hampshire Community Seafood as a cooperative of fishermen and consumers who have joined together to protect the ocean, sustain New Hampshire’s fishing industry and support the local economy.

“The three eight-week seasons provide consumers and restaurants with a weekly share of the freshest, most delicious fish available,” Vanhorn said.

For more information, or to sign up, go to www.nhcommunityseafood.com or email nhcommunityseafood@gmail.com directly.